Self-locking steering-gear for automobiles.



No. 764,161. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. R. O. STUTSMAN.

SELF LOCKING STEERING GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 30. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEBTS-SHEET 1.

(Home L 5 NO. 764,161. PATENTED JULY 5, 1904. R. 0. STUTSMAN.

SELF LOCKING STEERING GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLIGATION FILED 001?. 30,1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHBETSSHEET 2.

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PATENT OFFICE.

REUBEN O. STUTSMAN, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 764,161, dated July 5, 1904.

Application filed October 30, 1903. Serial No. 179,164. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, REUBEN O. STUTsMAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Self-Locking Steering Devices for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a steering device embodying my in vention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4 4, Fig. 2, the connecting-rod being in elevation. Fig. 5 is atop plan view of a slightly-modified form. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the same. Fig.7 is a section on line 7 7, Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is a vertical section on the line 8 8, Fig. 5. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cam or sliding plate.

10 represents an axle, which for purposes of illustration is shown, of the construction of an approved type of automobile-axle, provided with yokes 11 at each end thereof, in each of which is pivoted a spindle 12, provided with a bearing-hub 13.

14 is an arm extending outwardly from each bearing-hub, and 15 is the connectingrod, each end of which is provided with a split sleeve 16, whereby said connecting-rod is pivotally secured to each of the arms 14.

17 is,a frame having depending perforated lugs 18, through which the axle 10 is adapted to pass, said frame being rigidly keyed to the axle 10 by means of setscrews 19. This frame is provided with groove 20 in each side thereof.

21 is a sliding cam-locking plate provided with flanges 22 on each side thereof, which are constructed to engage a slide in the grooves 20 of the frame 17.

23 is a rack-bar rigidly secured upon the upper face of the plate 21.

The plate 21 is provided with two elongated cam-slots 24, connected by a straight slot 25,

disposed at about the center of the plate 21. This straight slot is for all intents and purposes a portion of the cam-slots and forms a locking-point for the mechanism, as will be hereinafter more fully pointed out.

rack-bar 23 of the plate 21, as clearly shown in the several figures.

32 is an arm pivoted, by means of the pin 33, to the axle 10. (See Fig. 3.) To the outer end of said arm is pivoted a sleeve 34, which is rigidly keyed to the connecting-rod 15 in any suitable manner. This arm 32 is provided with an upwardly-extending pin 35, around which is secured an antifriction-roller 36, (see Fig. 4,) said roller and pin extending through the cam-slots.

The construction shown in Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8 is practically the, same as that shown in Figs 1, 2, 3, 4, with the single exception that instead of employing a straight arm 32, as in the figures first described, I employ a bellcrank lever, one arm of which, 37, carries a sleeve 38, which is rigidly keyed to the connecting-rod 15, while the other arm, 39, of the bell-crank lever carries a stud or pin 40, on-

which is secured an antifriction-roller 41, said stud and roller projecting through the camslot in the plate 21, as in the other construction.

The operation of the device is as follows: Upon turning the steering arm or handle 29 to the right or to the left the segmental rack 30, by reason of its engagement with the rack 23, moves the'plate 21 in the frame 17, whereby the pin and antifriction-roller, located in the cam-slots, swings the arm32 in the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, and in the construction shown in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive, the bell-crank lever, whereby the connecting-rod 15 is moved, thus moving the spindles 12 so as to throw the steering-wheels at an angle to guide the vehicle in the desired direction, as will be understood.

Having thus described my invention, the following is what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a self-locking steering device, the combination with an axle, two spindles journaled thereon, and a rod connecting said spindles, of a plate slidahly mounted on the axle and provided with an elongated cam-slot having a central straight portion, a pin connected with the said rod and extending through said slot and means to move said plate.

2. 1n aself-locking steering device, the combination with a slidahly-mounted plate having elongated cam-slots formed therethrongh, of a plurality of steering-wheels, a rod connecting said Wheels and means connecting said rod with the cam-slots in said plate.

3. 1n aself-locking steering device, the combination with a plurality of steering-wheels and a rod connecting said Wheels, of a lever rigidly keyed to said connecting-rod, a sliding plate provided with two elongated cam-slots and a straight slot connecting said cam-slots and means connected to said lever and project ing into said slots.

4:. In a self-locking steering device, the combination with a sliding plate having two elongated cam-slots and a straight slot connecting said cam-slots, of means Working in said slots and connected with the steering-wheels of the vehicle.

5. In a'self-locking steering device, the combination with an axle, spindles pivotally mounted thereon, and a connecting-rod connecting said spindles, of a plate slidably mounted upon said axle and provided With cam-slots and a straight slot connecting the cam-slots, a rack-bar mounted on said plate, a lever pivoted to the axle and rigidly keyed to the connecting-rod, a pin extending from said lever into said slots, a segmental rack constructed to engage the racks upon said plate and a steering-arm connected with said segmental rack.

The foregoing specification signed this 21st day of October, 1903.

REUBEN O. STUTSMAN.

In presence of S. L. lVIORRISON, W. T. JONES. 

